The Cincinnati Bengals have finally ended the saga of their long-running contract dispute with defensive end Trey Hendrickson, agreeing to a $14 million raise that will keep him on the roster through the 2025 season. The deal is seen as a compromise between both sides, with Hendrickson’s camp securing a significant increase in pay while the Bengals manage to retain one of their top pass rushers.
The extension is still not without its concerns, however. Despite this year’s impressive performance, including three sacks against the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 4, Hendrickson will remain without long-term security. He will need to continue to bet on himself and face uncertainty about his future in the free-agent market.
Meanwhile, the Bengals are left with questions about their long-term answer at one of their most critical defensive positions. They still rely heavily on unproven players to support Hendrickson, and the extra $14 million spent on his raise is a significant outlay for the organization.
While some may view this deal as a victory for Hendrickson, others see it as a missed opportunity for the Bengals to make a statement about their commitment to their key player. The 2025 season will be crucial in determining whether this arrangement works, but one thing is clear: Hendrickson’s happiness and performance will be closely watched.
The real question now is who won this deal? While Hendrickson is happy with his new contract, the Bengals may have secured a key piece of their defense at a lower cost than they could have. The future remains uncertain, but for now, the 2025 Bengals can claim to have emerged victorious in this high-stakes contract dispute.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6575267/2025/08/26/bengals-trey-hendrickson-2025-contract